AMSLER GRID EVALUATION

What you are looking at is the AMSLER GRID. It can in two seconds tell you if you have or are developing symptoms of dry macular degeneration (DRY MD). If so, immediate precautions must be taken in regard to vitamins, supplements and diet. When dry MD turns to WET MD (the severest kind of AMD) the patient loses central vision. The patient will not go entirely blind but will not be able to see faces, make out countenances of friends or relatives, they will not be able to drive or watch television. The reason for using this grid is to inform you of impending visual danger. It is considered a very accurate first step and a warning to get to your vision doctor ASAP.

TO USE THE GRID

PLACE ONE HAND OVER YOUR LEFT OR RIGHT EYE AND STARE AT THE BLACK DOT IN THE CENTER OF THE GRID.  DO YOU SEE ANY DISTORTED OR JUMBLED LINES? ANY "HOLES" IN THE GRID? IF SO, IT IS A POSSIBLE  INDICATION OF MD. NOW SWITCH HANDS AND OBSERVE THE OPPOSITE EYE. IF YOU WEAR GLASSES USE THEM NOW.

For more accurate detection of macular damage, you will need a complete eye exam. IF YOU SEE ANY IRREGULARITES TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Wavy lines or "drop outs" in the visual field on either eye. If you normally wear glasses use them when taking the test.

      VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR MACULAR DEGENERATION

A study showed that among those whose disease had progressed to the intermediate stage, the zinc supplements reduced by 11 percent the risk of the disease progressing to the advanced stage, and the antioxidants reduced the risk by 10 percent. When the two were combined, the risk dropped by 19 percent. The study followed the participants for 6.5 years on average. The daily dosages of the antioxidants used in the study were 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400IU of vitamin E and 15 milligrams of beta-carotene, The body converts the beta-carotene into vitamin A. The daily dosage of zinc was 80 milligrams with 2 milligrams of copper. Lutein and zeaxathin 20mgs. This is not a recommendation of the website but to be discussed with your vision specialist.

FLASH UPDATE

Newest findings evaluating the information gleaned from the two AREDS studies found:  Antioxidants: Beta Carotene, antioxidants E and C, zinc and copper not as helpful as previously believed. The 3 most important supplements (after the two studies) appear to be Mezo Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Omega 3 from fish oil and a growing interest as recommended by Life Extension include Astaxanthin. Again, the jury may still be out and discussion with your physician is encouraged. What is true today can be disproved tomorrow.

What I have found in my research that may be years ahead of application. The suggestion is to present this to your retinal specialist for his or her opinion. Perhaps erring on the side of prevention if there is no downside is the best one can do. The alternative is unacceptable if it can be avoided.

Rationale:  Those with the highest vitamin D levels had 83% lower odds of AMD (odds ratio [OR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71 - 0.97) and 47% lower odds of late AMD (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28 - 0.79) compared with those with the lowest levels. Those in the highest quintile of circulating vitamin D levels had the lowest odds of AMD compared with those in the lowest quintile.

In addition, participants with less than 50nmol/L had more than twice the odds of late AMD (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.34 - 3.56) than those with higher concentrations.

Request for therapeutic prescription for Vitamin D. If one is prone to kidney disease a formulation of baking soda, lemon or apple cider vinegar should be protective.

Based on two saffron AMD trials in Australia showing remarkable stabilization on advancement and in some patients showing a degree of reversal of AMD an FDA clinical trial is currently recruiting patients for AMD and Stargardt's disease using the spice saffron.

See comment in PubMed Commons below Front Aging Neurosci. 2014 Aug 1;6:191. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00191. eCollection 2014.

Curcumin represented an ideal drug that can effectively restore the neuronal functions in AMD patient-derived RPE cells, rendering this drug an effective option for macular degeneration therapy and an agent against aging-associated oxidative stress.

 NOTE: Over the past year, I was unaware that taking a combination of a beta blocker and a  calcium channel blocker to maintain an ideal blood pressure level may, according to the literature, contribute to the advancement of AMD. Patients taking any form of oral beta blockers was associated with a 71 percent increase in the risk of a more advanced and vision-threatening form of AMD.